The motor vehicles department has launched a crackdown on buses with bodies colored with images of football players and film stars. Alappuzha: The motor vehicles department has launched a crackdown on buses with bodies colored with images of football players and film stars. Two such airbuses were slapped with a fee of Rs 67,000 and fine amounting to Rs 500 each for violating the rules in this regard. The government, in short, collected Rs 1.35 lakh from just two vehicles.
According to rules, pictures on bus body which distract other motorists invite a fine. For displaying advertisements and changing color, prior sanction has to be obtained from the motor vehicles department and a fee paid. The fee is 20 paise per square centimeter, which works out to Rs 67,000 for one bus. The fine of Rs 500 is imposed for changing the color without permission.
Alappuzha regional transport officer Shibu K Itty said more passenger buses are plying in the area violating rules regarding color and sporting advertisements which distract other drivers. The department would resort to strict action against these vehicles also as they could cause accidents, he said.
The two buses which faced action were intercepted by a team comprising motor vehicles inspector (MVI) K G Biju, assistant MVIs S Sunil and Harikumar and driver Shiju.
‘Bullets’ too to be targeted
The motor vehicles department has also launched action against ‘Bullet’ bikes which zoom past with modified silencers, leading to sound pollution. Over the past two days, owners of 13 such vehicles were booked. They were charged with causing sound pollution as well as alteration of original fittings. The registration certificates (RCs) of the vehicles were seized. Authorities said the RCs would be returned to owners only after they fit the original silencers and produce the modified silencers before them. The fine for causing sound pollution is Rs 1,000 and alteration Rs 500. In case of repeating the offense, the RC would be canceled, said officials.
During the drive, the authorities also seized several two-wheelers which did not possess RCs.
